The chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa on Tuesday, lamented that more than 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years use psychoactive substances other than alcohol and tobacco, thereby constituting grave danger for the future of youth in the country.
He added that one out of four drug users is a woman
while one in five persons who use drugs in Nigeria is suffering from drug use
disorders, stressing that drug use is most common among the ages of 25 and 39
years.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the occasion of the
Annual Public Lecture organised by the National Institute for Cultural
Orientation (NICO), with the theme, “Culture, Drug Abuse and the Future of the
Nigerian Youth”.
He observed that the prevalence of drug abuse among the
youth in the country was responsible for rising cases of prostitution,
kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and banditry, noting that the drug users
under the influence commit all manner of criminality, including contracting
HIV/AIDS as well mental health diseases.
Marwa said the event was apt and timely not only
because it would create awareness on the dangers inherent in drug abuse but
also sensitise the entire society on their roles in drug abuse prevention,
treatment and care.
While quoting a report by the National Drug Use Survey
conducted by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2018,
Marwa disclosed people who inject drugs constitute a sizeable proportion of
high-risk drug users in Nigeria as 1 in 5 high-risk drug users is injecting
drugs.
He explained that drug abuse referred to the consumption
of drugs in a manner that deviates from approved medical or social norms and
can lead to negative physical, psychological and social consequences, pointing
out that drug use in Nigeria cuts across all ages, gender, religion, socio-economic status and regions.
Marwa said: “I wish to start this presentation by
commending the organisers of this Annual Public Lecture, National Institute for
Cultural Orientation (NICO) for your thoughtfulness and initiative at
organising this very important event. This has, in many ways, demonstrated your
deep commitment and passion to rid our society of the menace of drug abuse and
its associated consequences.
“This event is apt and timely not only because it will
create awareness on the dangers inherent in drug abuse but will also sensitise
the entire society on their roles in drug abuse prevention, treatment and
care,” he said.
He said: “The National Drug Use Survey conducted by
UNODC (2018) revealed that about 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years use
psychoactive substances other than alcohol and tobacco.
“The most common drug of use is Cannabis, followed by
pharmaceutical opioids, cocaine, heroin, etc. Another disturbing finding of the
National Survey is the fact that one out of four drug users is a woman while
one in five persons who use drugs in Nigeria are suffering from drug use
disorders and drug use was most common among the ages of 25 and 39 years.
“People who inject drugs constitute a sizeable
proportion of high-risk drug users in Nigeria as 1 in 5 high-risk drug users is
injecting drugs.
“Drugs/Psychoactive substances are substances that
when taken exert major action on the brain and the spinal cord and are
classified as:
“Depressants: These substances depress the central
nervous system by slowing down the activity of the brain. They are often
medically prescribed but are abused for their intoxicating effect; examples are
alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturate and heroin, cough syrup with codeine,
morphine, pethidine and Methadone.
“The National Drug Use Survey 2018 revealed that an
estimated 4.6 million Nigerians had used opioids (such as tramadol, codeine, or
morphine) for non-medical purposes. The non-medical use of cough syrups
containing codeine and dextromethorphan is estimated at 2.4 million people,” he
stated.
Executive secretary of the National Institute for Cultural
Orientation (NICO), Ado Muhammed Yahuza, in his welcome address, raised the alarm
over drug and substance abuse especially among Nigerian youths, expressing the
urgent need for collective action in order to save youths and the nation from
avoidable negative consequences.
Yahuza, commended the Executive Chairman/Chief
Executive and management of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement agency for the
aggressive, proactive and effective manner it has executed its mandate in the
last couple of years.
He said the war against drug abuse prosecuted by NDLEA
has been a huge success considering the large number of arrests and convictions
they have secured.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who
was represented by the Director, International Cultural Relations, Zainab
Ali-Biu, described as worrisome the menace of drug abuse among youths, saying
this remains a critical issue that deserves the attention and urgent action not
only by government and its relevant agencies such as NDLEA, National
Orientation Agency (NOA), NICO and a host of others but all and sundry.
He added that family, religious bodies, socio-cultural
organizations, civil society organizations and the mass media all have a role
to play to complement the efforts of government in addressing the problem in
order to save the nation from its devastating consequences.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Rochas Okorocha, who
is also the chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, cautioned the
youth against drug abuse and addiction, stressing that it was capable of
ruining their lives and destinies.
He also warned against the social media war against
the youth, urging them to make positive use of cell phones and other forms
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
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